Whether you have inherited jewelry, bought a piece for yourself or received one as a gift, the world of jewelry can be a little confusing. Beginning to seek out information about jewelry can be difficult. This article includes tips written to make you a more informed customer.
If you are shopping for sterling silver jewelry, you’ll need a magnet and an eye for the real thing. You can detect fake sterling silver with the magnet, since non-precious metals are drawn to magnets. In addition, sterling silver pieces are always stamped with silver hallmarks indicating such factors as the degree of purity, the manufacturer’s symbol, and the date of manufacture. Some of the most common hallmarks are “925, “ster,” “sterling,” and “sterling silver.” Silver jewelry that lacks a hallmark may be a fake or composed of other metals.
When shopping for a diamond, it’s crucial that you do comparisons. Make a close-range examination of stones you find appealing, and contrast them with other likely purchases. There are deceptive tricks that can be used to enhance a diamond, so you need to be on the lookout.
Pay attention to the type of metal they wear, such as white gold or yellow gold. Also notice if your loved one usually wears hoops or studs. Doing this will provide a good basis for where you should begin so that you can purchase a special piece for that special someone.
Before committing yourself to a piece, do research to determine which styles are hot and which are not. The only thing better than picking up a gorgeous bauble is getting it on sale!
Ask about a jeweler’s insurance policy before buying anything. This is so that if something happens to your piece, you can return it to have it replaced or repaired. You might find some jewelers who are willing to insure it against loss and theft.
When collecting costume jewelry, pay close attention to the condition of any piece you are considering. Costume jewelery pieces can be expensive but they are not worth the investment if they look too old. A piece in good condition will be much more resourceful to you in the future.
Take stones into consideration when you go to purchase new jewelry. The stone will look best on you if it is complementary to your skin tone, eye, and hair color. Look for colors in neutral shades that you can wear with any of your favorite clothes. Do not buy something that looks nice on the shelf but that you will never use.
Costume Jewelry
Costume jewelry should be treated differently than your other jewelry. Costume jewelry is generally bound by glue rather than settings and is therefore, a lot more fragile. Don’t submerge costume jewelry in water or clean it with abrasives. It is best to have two cloths ready, one warm with water and one dry, to use to wipe your jewelry. This keeps costume jewelry looking its best.
Accent a belt with a brooch to add more visual interest instantly. The best places to pin the brooch for maximum visual impact are the middle of your waist and at hip line.
You should always know what you plan on doing with jewelry when purchasing it. You don’t need a box full of unused jewelry. Think about the outfits you can wear the jewelry with when you are choosing different pieces.
A diamond’s cut and clarity may be more attractive than its size. Be sure to consider the type of person that you are presenting the diamond to.
When you are purchasing diamonds, do some shopping around. No diamond is the same and each has subtle imperfections. When you personally see the stone, some flaws can be less important. Different jewelers may price differently in regard to these flaws. You can make the most of your investment if you take the time to comparison shop and hunt down the best diamond that falls within your price range.
When you are buying jewelry for someone, it may be a good idea to buy a set instead of just one piece. You can often get a better price if you buy an entire set. There is nothing stopping you from splitting a set after buying it; you can use a set for a series of gifts over multiple holidays, for example. It will not only ensure you will always have a gift ready, it will also show the person that you care a lot about them.
You don’t need to focus too much on the brand when you purchase jewelry. Not may people notice trendy names or brands in jewelry. If the salesperson tries to push a certain brand in you, they probably paid too much for the item as well. There are a number of different brands that manufacture high-quality jewelry.
If you have gold necklaces and bracelets, you can actually make money from your jewelry while still keeping your pieces. Just cut off any excess. If you have enough of these pieces, you can clip off so little that people won’t even notice the difference. Ensure that your items are real gold before doing this and, if you have enough, you can acquire a significant amount of cash from a reputable dealer.
One new fashion trend is wearing yellow gold jewelry and silver jewelery together. To pull this off, wear a jewelry piece that contains the two colors of metal. Otherwise the look is out of style and doesn’t look right.
To clean a gem or bauble in a setting, use a damp cloth and be very gentle with the piece. Gently dry the piece with a soft cloth. Don’t use any type of chemical or steam on your costume jewelry.
As you have read, jewelry has a myriad of various aspects. Do your homework, and identifying the best investment pieces of jewelry will be easy. The more you learn about jewelry, the more you’ll see what an awe-inspiring and dazzling world it can be. As you begin your journey, these tips can act as guideposts.